Some locals simply refer to South Bronx commercial district the Hub as “Third Avenue.” But hop off the 2 or 5 train at Third Ave–149th St, and it’s clear that you’re in the nerve center of the northernmost borough—a striking convergence of historic architecture, mom-and-pop Mexican-food spots and modern retailers splaying out from the intersection of East 149th Street and Melrose, Third and Westchester Avenues.

Just a couple blocks away is the Bronx Documentary Center(614 Courtlandt Ave at 151st St; 718-993-3512, bronxdoc.org; suggested donation $7), a nonprofit gallery and education spot founded in 2011 by New York Times photojournalist Michael Kamber and former Magnum Photos cultural director Danielle Jackson. The duo has hosted exhibitions of works by prominent photographers and filmmakers, as well as intimate chats with pros. Coming up, you can see Italian photojournalist Gabriele Stabile’s “Refugee Hotel,” featuring startling images of refugees during their first few hours on U.S. soil (Sept 27–Nov 30).

Head northeast to Xochimilco Family Restaurant (653 Melrose Ave at 153rd St, 718-402-5400) for mole poblano ($10), a chicken dish that boasts the fire-roasted sweetness of small-town Mexico. We recommend washing it down with the house’s version of the michelada ($5), a Bloody Mary riff that substitutes Corona for vodka and is generously infused with lime, salt, hot sauce and spices.

Now that you’re buzzed, you’re ready for impulse shopping. Collectibles by Armada (3025B Third Ave at 155th St, 718-904-7105) is a geek-nostalgia haven with loads of ThunderCats memorabilia for sale, Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man costume for gawking at, and a spot for staging Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! games. Down the street, check out graffiti artist King Bee’s awesome mural—depicting kids heading to school in front of the NYC skyline—which wraps around the exterior of Youngland department store (2922 Third Ave at 151st St).

Get a taste of Hub sophistication at the Opera House Hotel(436 E 149th St at Third Ave; 718-407-2800, operahousehotel.com), a century-old theatrical space—the Marx Brothers and Harry Houdini performed there—that reopened last month as a luxury hotel. Duck inside to eyeball re-creations of vintage programs, which are hung throughout. Finally, saunter east to St. Mary’s Park(St. Mary’s St between Jackson and St. Ann’s Aves, nyc.gov/parks), where you can bask in the last of the late-summer sun. It’s also home to a refurbished outdoor track, in case all that walking wasn’t quite enough.

“The Hub is a nexus between the old and new Bronx, and shows the bright future that the borough is working toward. Dozens of countries are represented by the residents living here.”—Desiree Joy Frias, boogiedowner.net